Describe the assassination of Caesar in Julius Caesar.

Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March by a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius. 

About a month before the assassination, on the Feast of Lupercal, Julius Caesar was warned by a soothsayer to beware the Ides of March.  He laughed it off, but there was a conspiracy by a group of senators led by Cassius and Brutus.  Cassius convinced Brutus, a prestigious senator, that Caesar was too ambitious and wanted to be king of Rome.  He and the other senators were upset about Caesar’s march on Rome and defeat of the consul Pompey. 

The senators developed a plan.  Caesar’s trusted lieutenant Decius Brutus would make sure Caesar came to the capital. A senator named Trebonius would distract Mark Antony, because the senators worried that he would prevent their attack.  The conspirators would not kill anyone other than Caesar.  Brutus insisted. 

On the big day, Decius Brutus convinces Caesar to ignore his wife Calpurnia’s dream.  She dreamed that he would be in danger, seeing citizens bathing their hands in his blood.  He convinces him that the dream is a good thing and not a bad thing and Caesar goes.  He also tells Caesar the senate is giving him a crown. 

The soothsayer again sees Caesar.  They have a discussion about the Ides of March. 

CAESAR

[To the Soothsayer] The ides of March are come.

Soothsayer

Ay, Caesar; but not gone. (Act 3, Scene 1)

When Caesar gets to the senate, the senators surround him with a suit from Metellus Cinder.  He wants his brother Publius pardoned.  Caesar refuses, saying he never changes his mind.  Casca then stabs Caesar, and the others follow suit.  The last to stab is Brutus.  Caesar is surprised.  He never expected Brutus to betray him.

CAESAR

Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.

Dies

CINNA

Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead!
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. (Act 3, Scene 1)

Caesar was stabbed 32 times.  The conspirators believe that they have liberated Rome.  They killed Caesar because he was too dangerous, and now that he is gone they feel that the people of Rome will approve of what they have done.  They could not be more wrong.